quote of the day

The significance is hiding in the insignificant. Appreciate everything.

- Eckhart Tolle

This suggestion is very self-evident, yet not many of us are in the habit of doing it.

birds of paya

Photos of beautiful wetlands birds I photographed here at Paya this past week.

This crabcatcher pretty much resides here on the property. It has become accustomed to me and my camera and allows me to get pretty close to take photos. I love its expressive eyes! Note the heavy, sturdy beak for breaking crab shells.

quote of the day

The greater part of human pain is unnecessary. It is self-created as long as the unobserved mind runs your life.

- Eckhart Tolle

The key phrase here is "the unobserved mind." Tolle challenges us to understand what he means by that.

paya bay 3.0: the yoga pavilion

Paya Bay is moving boldly into the future! We are in the process of adding key facilities that will greatly contribute to our goal of making Paya an even more heavenly resort. I'm referring to this latest series of improvements as Paya Bay 3.0. One of these new facilities is a 1,200 square foot covered yoga pavilion!

A new trail leads through the jungle to the perfect location on one of the highest points on the property.

A view of the varied and interesting natural flora along the trail.

The thick, solid posts on which the platform and its roof will be constructed are being secured with concrete foundations in the rocky terrain.

Lucky and Foxy assist me in inspecting the work. They seemed impressed. :)

A gorgeous sunset accents the incredible view that will be the focal point of the pavilion.

be a field of conscious presence

Give up defining yourself - to yourself or to others. You won't die. You will come to life. And don't be concerned with how others define you. When they define you, they are limiting themselves, so it's their problem. Whenever you interact with people, don't be there primarily as a function or a role, but as the field of conscious Presence. You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are.

- Eckhart Tolle

doing good

A group of kind-hearted American doctors and dentists come to Roatan every year to provide four days of free dental and medical care to people with limited resources in our local community. This is an amazing gesture of kindness and solidarity with the Honduran people. This is the group's second year "setting up camp" at Paya Bay Resort, where they stay for the entire week (enjoying some R&R the last couple of days). Paya Bay cooperates with this beautiful effort by providing room and board for the medical professionals and other members of their mission group at a very discounted rate.

Community people wait their turn for medical and dental services.

Young U.S. dentists attending patients.

Medical checkups under the coconut trees.

Waiting to see "los doctores americanos."

The pharmacy. I haven't seen this many drugs on the beach since Miami Beach 1998!

A tropical blood pressure check. Shouldn't be too high.

the frequency of good

If you are complaining about things in your life, you are on the complaining frequency, and you are not in a position to attract what you want.

Get on to the frequency of good with your thoughts and words. Firstly you will feel good, and secondly you will be on the frequency of receiving more good.

- lessons from The Secret

plunge pool 2.0

Paya's plunge pool has been updated! The new 2.0 version is a completely fresh water pool. (I've surrendered to the reality that saltwater pools are way too high maintenance.)

Ultra clear and picture-perfect! The brisk and refreshing water of Paya's plunge pool is the perfect place to cool off after a sunbathing session.

The cascade feature works flawlessly.

The new filtration system.

Powerful new 1.5 horsepower pump.

The pool man and his assistant work on the conversion.

Right on Bliss Beach and mere feet from the Caribbean Sea, this conversation pool has a privileged location.

daily om: seeing the illusion

True lasting success comes only with surrender, which is the opposite of control.

Most of us were raised and live in a culture that emphasizes the ideals of independence and control. The general idea is that we are on our own and we don’t need any help from anyone else, and if we are really successful it’s because we are in complete control. However, true lasting success comes only with surrender, which is the opposite of control. We cannot accomplish anything truly great on our own, without any help, and the idea that we can is an illusion that causes most of us a great deal of suffering. Surrender comes when we see that illusion and let go of trying to attain the impossible. Surrender can then be seen as a great strength rather than a weakness.

picking limes

Awesome staff members Arnold and Marcey pick organic limes for Ms. Winnie's homemade key lime pie. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

the seaside trail

The Seaside Trail at Paya Bay Resort. These photos go out in honor of the Japanese people. May peace and serenity return to their lives.

so powerful, so powerful

Don't let a mad world tell you that success is anything other than a successful present moment.

- Eckhart Tolle

A "successful present moment" is simply being present for that moment. Of all Tolle's utterances of wisdom, this statement is the most powerful I've discovered so far. Make being present a habit in your life and your life experience will expand exponentially. This guy is my personal Jesus, Buddha, Martin Luther King, and Dalai Lama wrapped all in one.

life is change, nothing ever stands still

When things change in our life, often we have resistance to the change. But if you understand the structure of the Universe, life, and creation, then you will understand that life is change, and nothing ever stands still. Everything is energy, and energy is in continual motion and change. If energy stood still you would be gone, and there would be no life.

Change is always happening for the good of you and for everyone. It is the evolution of life.

- lessons from The Secret 

These are interesting concepts to consider in the context of the heartbreaking events in Japan. I've been contemplating the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in silence these last three days because there are simply no words.

8.9

Thoughts of solidarity and compassion go out to the Japanese people as they grapple with today's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Photo: Associated Press

quote of the day

What a liberation to realize that the “voice in my head” is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.

- Eckhart Tolle

aha! moment

I think I've finally figured out why they are called "Fairy Tales."

:-)

fun things to do!

Winzina (a.k.a. "Winzie"), one of Paya's fabulous cooks,  checks out the updated Fun Things to Do! matrix.

There are A LOT of fun things to do at Paya Bay! Or, you can do nothing at all. That's allowed, too! Feel good, be happy.

quote of the day

Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness.

- Eckhart Tolle

paya in metamorphosis

We are working hard on the new features of what will be Paya Bay 3.0!

Construction materials for current projects...

Impressive big machinery was brought in temporarily...

Guests explore the site of Paya's yoga pavilion (currently under construction).

The multi-level spa facility under construction features stairs that descend all the way to Lagoon Aqua.

Paya Bay Resort 3.0 will set new standards in the alternative/boutique/new thought resort arena, but it's just the beginning of project that only gets better all the time.

quote of the day

Being spiritual has nothing to do with what you believe and everything to do with your state of consciousness.

- Eckhart Tolle

photo of the day

Special guests Tim and Dorice kayak in Buccaneer Landing. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

the magnificence of change

When a big change occurs in your life it forces you to change direction. Sometimes the new path may not be easy, but you can be absolutely certain that there is magnificence for you on the new path. You can be absolutely certain that the new path contains things that you could not have experienced otherwise.

When we look back at a negative event that occurred in the past, we often see how in fact it transformed our life. We see how that event directed us toward a life that we would not change for anything.

- lessons from The Secret

photo of the day

The absolute perfection of Bliss Beach. This is sacred space. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

being present at work

Bringing your presence into your work activities can fill the entire experience of working with new energy and life.

Being present at work begins before we even go to our place of employment. It starts with our intention to bring consciousness into everything we do, including those activities we do for money. Whether you are a secretary who files papers all day, a janitor who cleans the local high school, or a nurse caring for children, there is much to be gained by fully engaging in the tasks at hand. When you decide to bring your presence into your work activities, you may find that the entire experience of working is filled with new energy and life.

pigeon cay day trip

The excursion to Pigeon Cay is an awesome way to spend one of your vacation days! Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Photos: Bill and Judith Berk